Daily Archives: May 6, 2010

HRT have announced that their test driver Christian Klien will replace Karun Chandhok for Friday Practice 1 in Barcelona this weekend. The Austrian driver had just joined HRT this week as their second test driver alongside Sakon Yamamoto.

As well as Fairuz Fauzy and Paul di Resta, Klien will be the third test driver so far this year to be given driving time during the race weekend.Colin Kolles said this about him:

"He is a young and fast driver. I have been keeping a close eye on
him since his first races in the ADAC series as I believe he has
great potential. We look forward to having Christian alongside us in
Barcelona later this week so he can spend some valuable
familiarization time with the team. As a young team we are looking
or drivers who can grow with us."

Klien last raced in F1 when he replaced Jenson Button at Honda for one race at the 2007 British Grand Prix. It’s great to see him be given another chance, because he was never really given space to show his potential.

Just one problem I have though: HRT really need to announce news like this better. I only found out that Yamamoto was a test driver by accident, and I only heard about Klien today, even though he was signed earlier this week. And this is just the view of an F1 fan, think of how potential sponsors must be feeling. HRT should definitely shout a bit louder about themselves if they are to progress in the F1 world.

Ferrari have announced that they have removed their barcode design from their cars, after complaints that it was subliminal messaging for the cigarette company Marlboro.

The previous design has been replaced by a white box outline. Ferrari explained this decision:

"Together with Philip Morris International we have decided to modify
the livery of our cars starting with the Barcelona Grand Prix.
This decision was taken in order to remove all speculation
concerning the so-called 'bar code' which was never intended to be a
reference to a tobacco brand.
By this we want to put an end to this ridiculous story and
concentrate on more important things than on such groundless
allegations."

Because of this, the doctors that caused this row will probably cease their threat of investigation. But, will it really make any difference? This row has obviously brought Marlboro plenty of publicity, even if it was negative, and that completely renders the doctors’ argument pointless. I’d say that this row has given them more attention than if they had questioned Ferrari’s barcode design, and it was still here.

But, it’s gone, so it’s probably all over, even if the Scuderia are now stuck with a ridiculous box on their cars. Do you think Ferrari make the right call?

Well that was quick – the mayor of Jersey City has refused to give support to the planned F1 race in the area, which was announced only yesterday.

Mayor Jerramiah T. Healy said that the F1 race would be completely unsuited to Liberty State Park, and it would have a negative effect on the community:

"After a review of the draft proposal prepared by the City's
Tourism Office, I have come to the same conclusion...that this
type of event is not suited for Liberty State Park.
While we work to attract national and international events to
our city, we must ensure that they are appropriate and will have
the least impact upon the quality of life of our residents and
our community."

A plan had been made to host the New York Grand Prix in Liberty State Park, but simply appeared terrible in every single way. The track was a complete mess, and it was right in the middle of a national park. I’m delighted, and I hope you are too, and so are Friends of Liberty State Park, who were opposing the project:

"Mayor Healy did reach out to me yesterday and we had a very
constructive conversation.
Instead of a negative wasteful controversy, we can all focus on working together on
positive efforts to benefit Jersey City and Liberty State Park."

So, where now for plans for a race in New York? I’m delighted about this news, but at the same time would love a race in New York.